Da Brat, a female hip hop artist whose real name is Shawntae Harris, lost a civil suit on Thursday for her attack on former Atlanta Falcons cheerleader Shayla Stevens. Both women were attending a Halloween party in 2007 at a nightclub owned by hip hop producer and artist Jermaine Dupri. Stevens was serving as a hostess at the Studio 72 club that night, when something happened between her and Da Brat.
Da Brat grabbed an almost full bottle of rum and smashed it over the cheerleader’s head. The injuries sustained from the attack caused neurological damage and a permanent scar on her face. Criminal charges were filed against the rapper and she was found guilty in 2008. Da Brat’s sentencing included three years in prison, seven years of probation, 200 hours of community service, substance abuse treatment, a mental evaluation and anger management classes.
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In 2009, Stevens filed a civil suit against the Illinois born rapper. Her lawsuit claimed that the attack by Da Brat caused, “permanent facial scarring, neurological impairment and severe mental pain.” Shayla Stevens also had an up and coming acting career that was brought to a halt. One of her attorneys told the court, “Ms. Stevens suffered permanent damage to her face including possible neurological damage, forcing her to relinquish her duties with the Atlanta Falcons and to give up a budding acting career with an appearance on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne television show.”
Her appearance in court was scheduled to happen last week, but a juror was found to be ineligible because he was not a U.S. citizen . The trial was postponed to begin on February 24th. The judge was not happy with the juror and let him know about it.
Da Brat did not have to wait long once the trial began to find out if she would win or lose. In three quick days, the case was presented and the jury decided to award Stevens with a $6.4 million payday. The total was broken down into $3.7 million for compensatory damages and an additional $2.7 million in punitive damages. The attorney for Da Brat was very confused by the decision, considering his client had served her time and is currently on probation. Attorney B.J. Bernstein felt like the award was a bit much. “I’m baffled. She owned up to what happened when it happened and was punished.”
Da Brat, 39, was one of the early stars in 90’s rap, even being nominated for two Grammys. Her career began to derail in the 2000s following legal trouble and an inability to continue to produce fresh music.
